GREENSBORO, N.C.– Guilford County students will return to school in about a month and school officials are trying to determine how to compensate for budget shortfalls.
The district did not receive all of the $13.6 million it requested from Guilford County Commissioners earlier this year, only receiving $1.5 million. A little over $900,000 will be redirected to have teacher assistants.
Guilford County Schools Chief Financial Officer Angie Henry says if things stay the way they are, there’s no money to offer competitive salaries, smaller class sizes or pay increases.
The district is even considering tapping into its fund balance, which is around $3.5 million, but Henry says that’s still not enough to cover everything.
“It’s frustrating for a lot of people,” Henry said.
Teaching assistant Betsy Lane says that no matter the uncertainty, teachers will still continue to provide the same level of education.
“Teachers will always work, work, work, for their students,” Lane said.
The state has not yet approved a final budget.
